When Sven Baertschi joined the Calgary Flames at the start of the NHL season, he was told by coach Bob Hartley it was up to him to write the book.

Baertschi now understands what makes a true classic.

“I always think the best books out there, they have a little drama,” said the players regarded as the franchise’s top prospect. “Usually, there’s there’s a happy ending.

“It wouldn’t be a great book if there was just happy stuff in there.”

Baertschi, 20, understands some of the disappointment and turmoil that comes with a hockey season.

Admittedly, Baertschi took it hard when the Flames sent him to the minors a month ago. At the time, he said he had “hit rock-bottom, confidence-wise”. Nobody should have expected the rookie to produce offence at a rate similar to his five-game stint last season during which he scored three goals, but he expected more than just one assist in 10 NHL games before the demotion.

Every Flames fan must appreciate the honesty and emotions the club’s 2011 first-round draft choice expressed. Now, he realizes a career in the game requires a better ability to handle the downs that can come with the ups.

Baertschi has the chance to write some happy chapters now, having been recalled Sunday from the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat. He joined the Flames in Vancouver in time to make the trip to Denver for Monday’s clash with the Colorado Avalanche (7 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960).

“I didn’t reach my goal by staying here all the way, the whole season, so I was disappointed in myself,” Baertschi said Sunday when reached in Vancouver.

“That was the first time a setback really happened in my hockey career. It wasn’t easy for me because the last two years have been so good.

“First-year pro, everybody says it’s not going to be so easy, but maybe I thought it would be a little easier and that I would come in and have a good season. That’s not the way it works.

“To deal with that was the biggest part.”

After being held off the scoresheet in his first two AHL games following the demotion, Baertschi regained his form, netting four goals and four assists in the last eight outings for the Heat.

He’s returned to the Flames with more spring in his step.

“Right now, I’m much more confident than before,” Baertschi said. “Now, I’m really excited. It’s another opportunity to show what I can do out there.”

Moreover, he has a better understanding of himself.

“I’m more mature,” Baertschi said. “It takes a lot to be on that team and get a lot of icetime and play a big role in this league.”

With the Flames’ situation — on the verge of being officially eliminated from playoff contention and having traded away a couple of trio of key pieces in Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester and Blake Comeau before the deadline — the airlift of players from the minors has begun.

Combined with injuries to forwards Curtis Glencross and Brian McGrattan and defenceman Derek Smith, the team has summoned forwards Baertschi, Max Reinhart and Roman Horak, along with blueliner Brett Carson.

Baertschi learned a little more patience waiting for his call.

“For sure, I wanted to be the first guy up, but those three guys — Carse, he was playing a big role in Abbotsford, and Max and Roman played very well in Abbotsford, and I was excited for them,” Baertschi said. “On the other side, I wanted to be up as soon as I can, but getting the call a day later than Max was a big relief.

“It’s all something you’ve got to deal with. There are different players, and Calgary was looking for certain player.